Scandiobabingtonite is a rare scandium-bearing silicate mineral belonging to the babingtonite group. Collectors typically look for it as small, dark, triclinic crystals formed in the cavities of granitic pegmatites or alpine-type veins.
Is this scandiobabingtonite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch scandiobabingtonite with a known reference. Scandiobabingtonite sits at Mohs 5.5-6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Scandiobabingtonite leaves a greenish black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Scandiobabingtonite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, greenish black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, prismatic.
Often confused with
Scandiobabingtonite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Scandiobabingtonite leaves greenish black, Babingtonite leaves greenish-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Scandiobabingtonite leaves greenish black, Aegirine leaves yellowish-grey.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Scandiobabingtonite leaves greenish black, Augite leaves grayish white.
Often found alongside scandiobabingtonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with scandiobabingtonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₂Fe²⁺ScSi₅O₁₄(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5-6
- Density
- 3.55 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Greenish Black
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Prismatic
- Cleavage
- Perfect in One Direction
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find scandiobabingtonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Baveno, Italy
- Piz Giuv, Switzerland
- Miass, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where scandiobabingtonite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, orthoclase, epidote in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, prismatic habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify scandiobabingtonite?+
Where is scandiobabingtonite found?+
How much is scandiobabingtonite worth?+
What rocks look like scandiobabingtonite?+
What minerals are found with scandiobabingtonite?+
What kind of rock does scandiobabingtonite form in?+
What is scandiobabingtonite used for?+
Find scandiobabingtonite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
